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Author
Topic: on the other side (Read 4545 times)

I've been snooping around in the forums on this site for some time now. I'm at work with a little down time and decided to register and introduce myself to you guys. I live in Philadelphia. I am a single black gay man. I was diagnosed July 1, 1991. I've survived several hospitalizations, illnesses, drug addiction, confusion, hopelessness, homelessness, shelters, hopsices, programs, detoxes, rehabs, depression, loneliness and despair. Today I'm hopeful, peaceful, manageable, responsible, encouraged, motivated, supported, supportive, employed, a published author, a spoken word artist, a father, a son, a vision of hope and in touch with my reality. I find in an honor and a privilege to be employed in the capacity to assist those diagnosed like me in their endeavors to recover from said diagnosis. We live today and that is a fact. We've been given that push that encourages us all to take better care of ourselves and pay close attention to our overall health. Mental, Spiritual and Physical. It takes work in all three areas to live a productive, balanced life for an individual like me. I've fallen in love with the forums and am very eager to log on and jump into every day.

Welcome. Delspann. It's great to meet another long term survivor. I think you'll find these forums and the people here can be wonderful, informative, supportive, entertaining, and sometimes frustrating, just like real life. You'll also find several members here from Philadelphia.

Cheers,

Henry

Logged

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

I changed my mindI ain't dyingI'ma stick around and get downto what's left of my timeH I V, that may bebut there's so much more to being mefree see!I guess you'd say that's what I get for being gaybut I could''ve gotten this disease any wayheyI'm just trying to live day to day."My time is limited!"I used to beleivebut watch and see what I achievemore than any negative little mind can concievebecause of my positivityI've been relieved I'm at easeChild Please!

I changed my mindI ain't dyingI'ma stick around and get downto what's left of my timeH I V, that may bebut there's so much more to being mefree see!I guess you'd say that's what I get for being gaybut I could''ve gotten this disease any wayheyI'm just trying to live day to day."My time is limited!"I used to beleivebut watch and see what I achievemore than any negative little mind can concievebecause of my positivityI've been relieved I'm at easeChild Please!

This reminds me of when people told me I could not live normally, yet I have a daughter and a husband. At one point I was told it was my fault for having pre-marital times and God was punishing me. Now I just laugh because I am still here and my life is good. Those same people who said these things have asked to borrow money from me. I look at it like I am lucky to have met my hubby who also is positive. He has been positive over twenty years now.

I wanted to create another post but was unable to remember how. I need some advice. I recently decided to take a medication break. My Tcells are above 600 and my viral load undetectable. I really feel I need to give my organs a break after years of taking medication my Kidney and Liver are in good condition. I just wanted to give them a break. what are your thoughts?

I wanted to create another post but was unable to remember how. I need some advice. I recently decided to take a medication break. My Tcells are above 600 and my viral load undetectable. I really feel I need to give my organs a break after years of taking medication my Kidney and Liver are in good condition. I just wanted to give them a break. what are your thoughts?

I think you are making a mistake . Your lab numbers are were they should be because you are taking your meds . Your immune system and Tcells are not a bank that you can spend down from because you are doing well at this time . I cant understand for the life of me why you would do this from what little you have shared .

Seroconverted: Early 80sTested & confirmed what I already knew: early 90s

Current regimen: Atripla. Last regimen: Epzicom, Sustiva (since its inception with NO adverse side effects: no vivid dreams and NONE of the problems people who can't tolerate this drug may experience: color me lucky )Past regimensFun stuff (in the past): HAV/HBV, crypto, shingles, AIDS, PCP

Thanks for the linky but I'm still in the dark here . It sounds like the OP hasn't come to terms with HIV yet and doesn't understand that when you start meds its a commitment that needs to be kept unless your doctor advises you otherwise .

The fact he posted about this before and hasn't botherd to reply to other peoples thoughts on this matter in that thread adds to the mystery about why a person would do such a thing .

Thanks for the linky but I'm still in the dark here . It sounds like the OP hasn't come to terms with HIV yet and doesn't understand that when you start meds its a commitment that needs to be kept unless your doctor advises you otherwise .

The fact he posted about this before and hasn't botherd to reply to other peoples thoughts on this matter in that thread adds to the mystery about why a person would do such a thing .

I agree. I'm sorta getting the impression that he thinks that a little holiday after 21 years of being on meds will offer up some type of systemic rejuvenation since he has no real damage as per ALT/AST Metabolic Panel results?

Seroconverted: Early 80sTested & confirmed what I already knew: early 90s

Current regimen: Atripla. Last regimen: Epzicom, Sustiva (since its inception with NO adverse side effects: no vivid dreams and NONE of the problems people who can't tolerate this drug may experience: color me lucky )Past regimensFun stuff (in the past): HAV/HBV, crypto, shingles, AIDS, PCP